By Checky Abuje
Kenya marked World Wildlife Day 2025 under the theme “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,”* with celebrations led by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano. The event, hosted at Kiborgoch Community Conservancy adjacent to Lake Bogoria National Reserve in Baringo County, brought together both national and county officials, conservation partners, local communities, and stakeholders to reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to biodiversity and explore innovative funding mechanisms for wildlife protection.
Baringo County was selected as the host due to its rich biodiversity, including iconic species like the Patas monkey and Rothschild’s giraffe, unique geosites, and thriving community conservancies.
In her keynote address, Hon. Miano emphasized Kenya’s natural heritage as a cornerstone of cultural identity and economic prosperity. She outlined challenges such as habitat loss, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict, stressing the need for collaborative solutions.
“Our government is advancing initiatives like the Kenya Wildlife Protection and Biodiversity Strategy and the National Wildlife Strategy (2018-2030) to align with global best practices,” Hon. Miano stated. She highlighted Baringo’s flamingo migrations and conservancies as exemplars of successful partnerships, urging stakeholders to adopt public-private collaborations, carbon credits, and eco-tourism enterprises.
Principal Secretary for State Department for Wildlife, Hon. Silvia Museiya, reassured attendees that human-wildlife conflict compensation remains a priority. She invited compensated community members to share their experiences, underscoring the government’s dedication to affected families. “Investing in conservation ensures resilient ecosystems and thriving communities,” she affirmed, calling for harmony between people and wildlife.
Baringo Governor H.E. Benjamin Chesire Cheboi showcased the county’s 16 conservancies and 14 geosites, crediting community-led efforts for creating wildlife corridors and economic opportunities. “Sustainable models like conservation funds and carbon financing are vital,” he said, citing achievements such as:
– Kiborgoch and Ruko Conservancies: Restored degraded lands, enhanced eco-tourism, and improved livelihoods.
– Water Access Projects: Reduced human-wildlife conflict through sustainable water pans for communities and wildlife.
– Road Rehabilitation: 60 km of roads in Ruko Conservancy bolstered tourism and conservation access.
Deputy Governor H.E. Eng. Felix Kiplagat Maiyo raised concerns over recent fatal snakebites, advocating for reinstating snakebite compensation and improved antivenom availability in local clinics. His remarks tied into broader discussions on safeguarding communities amid conservation efforts.
Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga emphasized community-led conservation, noting KWS support for over 265 conservancies. He highlighted Baringo’s aloe farming and wildlife breeding programs as success stories, while addressing challenges like funding gaps and human-wildlife conflict through measures such as fencing and rapid response teams.
Local leaders urged residents to embrace conservation as a livelihood strategy, prioritizing innovative funding models and patenting Lake Bogoria’s unique enzymes to support biodiversity-based industries.
Hon. Miano awarded prizes to students who excelled in a pre-event essay and art competition aligned with the conservation theme. Attendees were also assisted in enrolling in the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme. The event concluded with the launch of the Recovery and Action Strategy for the Grey Crowned Crane symbolizing Kenya’s ongoing dedication to endangered species recovery and preservation.